Method and apparatus for installing a sliding drawer within a cabinet

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus is disclosed for installing a sliding drawer within a cabinet. According to one aspect of the invention, a pair of opposing vertical support members or columns are provided. Attached about the ends of the vertical support members is a pair of opposing horizontal stability members. Moreover, one of the horizontal stability members is attached to the storage cabinet floor (or such other horizontal base/platform located within the storage cabinet). Attached to the sliding drawer are runners extending from the vertical support members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for storingarticles, and in particular to a sliding drawer apparatus of the typesuitable for use within storage cabinets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drawer support devices commonly employed in household storage cabinetsrely on the sides of the cabinet for support and guidance of theinserted drawers. For example, the runners which guide and support thedrawers are typically fastened directly to the interior sides of thecabinet. This practice, however, presents several difficulties. First,this technique makes it time consuming and difficult for installing orretrofitting an existing cabinet with sliding drawers. Second, thistechnique cannot be used in cabinets that are not “square” (e.g.,cabinets wherein the sides are not oriented at ninety degree angles withrespect to the front and back sides). Third, even if the cabinets havethe requisite shape and style, this technique produces many permanentalterations in the cabinet. Fourth, the materials utilized in thesidewalls are often not sized or construed to provide the stability tofunction as the support.

Therefore, there is a need for a new and improved sliding drawerinstallation method and apparatus for use within variously sized storagecabinets, and which may be constructed as part of the enclosure or whichmay be retrofit into such enclosures.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention proposes a novel solution for supporting slidingdrawers while solving many of the above described problems. Since thepreferred apparatus relies, at least in part, on the floor of thecabinet for support, it can support heavier objects, it can be used incabinets which are not square, and it can be utilized in cabinets of anysize and shape. Moreover, this apparatus leaves fewer marking on thesidewalls of the cabinet and can be easily incorporated into new orpreexisting cabinets.

In a preferred embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance tothe principles of the present invention, the sliding drawer apparatuscomprises a pair of opposing vertical support members or columns, a pairof opposing horizontal stability members attached about the ends of thevertical support members, and one or more sliding drawers. One of thehorizontal stability members is attached to the storage cabinet floor(or such other horizontal base/platform located within a storagecabinet). Attached to the sliding drawer(s) are runners extending fromthe vertical support members.

Other embodiments, systems, methods, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will be, or will become, apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,methods, features, and advantages included within this description bewithin the scope of the present invention, and be protected by theaccompanying claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage cabinet with an apparatus inaccordance with the present invention installed therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1coupled about the opening to the cabinet;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in afreestanding upright position and before installation within thecabinet; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3coupled about the opening of yet another embodiment of a cabinet.

DESCRIPTION OF DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions of detailed embodiments are for exemplifyingthe principles and advantages of the inventions claimed herein. They arenot to be taken in any way as limitations on the scope of theinventions.

The principles of this invention apply particularly well to constructingsliding shelving within original and existing storage cabinets. Apreferred application for this invention is retrofitting sliding drawerswithin existing kitchen cabinets. The most common type of kitchencabinet is referred to as “face frame” or “frameless” style cabinets.Such preferred application, however, is typical of only one of theinnumerable types of applications in which the principles of the presentinvention can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a sliding drawer supportapparatus 10 that may be installed within the cabinet 12 of virtuallyany size and shape. It will become apparent upon further review of thespecification and drawings that the apparatus 10 does not rely solely onthe backwall 14 and sidewalls 16 of the cabinet 12 for support.Therefore, the cabinet materials, material strength, thickness, andwhether the walls are square can be, in some cases, effectively ignoredwhile installing and utilizing the apparatus 10 within the cabinet.

The apparatus 10 includes a frame 19 that is generally rectangular inshape (including a square shape) and can support one or more drawers 18,depending in part on the size of the cabinet 12 and the size of thedesired drawers. Similarly, one cabinet 12 can have multiple apparatuses10 in a side-by-side configuration or a spaced apart configuration,contained in the cabinet 12.

The apparatus 10 is comprised of one pair of vertical support members orcolumns 20. These support members 20 are preferably mirror images of oneanother. Each support member 20 preferably comprises a single elongatedboard 22 of wood, wood composites, laminates, plastic, metal, or anycombination thereof.

Additionally, each of the support members 20 has an inner planar surface21 with a plurality of alignment apertures or pilot holes 24 that canextend partially or completely through the board 22 as shown in FIG. 3.If the alignment apertures only extend partially through the boards 22,then it is desired that the openings to the apertures inwardly face eachother on each of the opposing boards.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the apertures 24 on each board 22 form apair of parallel lines 26 wherein each line comprises a plurality ofequal distantly spaced apart apertures. In an embodiment, the lines 26are spaced apart from each other and parallel to the centerline of theboard. Further, it is desired that an aperture from each line 26 forms acorresponding pair of apertures that are in horizontal alignment witheach other and thus perpendicular to the centerline of the board 26.Thus, the apparatus within each board 22 forms a grid pattern.

Attached to the vertical support members 20 are sliding channels, orhorizontal runners 28 to engage rails/protrusions 30 fixed to the drawer18 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably each runner 28 is connected to avertical support member 20 using screws, rivets, nails, bolts or otherconventional means that are installed through holes in the runner andinto a pair of apertures 24 in the support member. Preferably, therunners 28 extend perpendicular to the centerline of the verticalsupport member when they are attached together.

Preferably, the runners 28 are adapted to receive rotatable wheels (notshown) located on the rear end of the drawer 18 and further include awheel 32 affixed to the front end of the runner 28 on which the drawerprotrusion rides. The runners 28 used in the sliding drawer apparatus 10are well know in the art and so will not be described further herein. Inan embodiment, the horizontal runners utilized are channel guidesmanufactured by Grass America, of Kernsville, N.C., having a modeldesignation of G-6600-18AL (wherein the last designation if the widthdesired and the color; e.g., 18AL designates 18 inches long and almond).Alternatively, the horizontal runners are channel guides manufactured byHouck Industries, Inc., of Greensburg, Ind., having a model designationsof M&S 950C450 or M&S 950C550.

Preferably, a pair of runners 28 are in spaced parallel relationship toeach other and lie within a plane that is perpendicular to the verticalsupport members 20. Accordingly, when a drawer 18 is mounted on the pairof runners 28, the drawer is between and perpendicular to the verticalsupport members 20.

Each vertical column 20 and connected runner 28 generally lies withinthe same plane. Accordingly, the drawers 18 extend at generally a rightangle with respect to the plane formed by the columns 20 and within theplane formed by the runners 28.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the referencesin the description of the apparatus 10 to top, bottom, front, and backrefer to the normal orientation of the apparatus when installed within acabinet 12. Therefore, top and bottom are relative to the floor/base 13of the cabinet 12, while front and back are relative to the door 15 andbackwall 14, respectively (i.e., the back is the portion of theapparatus which is closest to the rear cabinet wall 14).

In an embodiment, horizontal stability members 34 connect about the endsof the two vertical support members 20 and maintain the support membersin spaced parallel relationship to each other. Stated another way, thehorizontal stability members 34 assure that the vertical support members20 remain at a constant parallel distance apart from each other. Eachhorizontal member 34 preferably comprises a single elongated board 36 ofwood, wood composites, laminates, plastic, metal, or any combinationthereof. As those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate,there is no requirement that the horizontal members 34 and the verticalsupport members 20 be constructed of the same material.

Preferably, the horizontal stability members 34 are positioned inparallel spaced relationship to each other and perpendicular to thevertical support members 20. The horizontal members 34 can be connectedto the vertical support members 20 by a conventional L-bracket attachedto both members 34,20 by-fasteners such as screws. Alternatively, thehorizontal members 34 can be attached to the vertical support members 20by other means such as, but not limited to, glue, nails, rivets, boltsor other conventional means. In yet another embodiment, the horizontalmembers 34 can be connected to the vertical support members 20 by usingready to assembly fittings or fasteners such as Rafix fittings and boltsas available from, for example, Hafele America Co., Archdale, N.C.,under part numbers 263.10.703 and 263.20.847, respectively. As usedherein, the frame 19 of the apparatus 10 consists of the horizontalmembers 34 and attached vertical members 20.

If desired, the ends of the both the horizontal stability members 34 andthe vertical support members 20 can be beveled so they abut each otherwithout having a gap therebetween. Alternatively, the ends of thehorizontal stability members 34 or vertical support members 20 can abutagainst the planar surface of the corresponding vertical or horizontalmember.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 includes no more than twovertical columns 20. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, thecolumns 20 can be situated in any particular part of the cabinet 12 sothat the drawers 18 can slide between the vertical support members 20.The position of the vertical support members 20 within the cabinet 12 isfixed by securing the bottom horizontal stability member 34 to the floor13 of the cabinet by using conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts,rivets, etc. Accordingly, the bottom vertical support member 34 caninclude two or more holes which allow screws or the like to be used infastening the apparatus 10 to the base 13 of the cabinet 12. However,nails, glue, and other fastening means could similarly be used to attachthe bottom member 34 to the floor 13, as is well known in the art.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom horizontal member 34 is ofsufficient dimension whereby the apparatus 10 is freestanding in anupright position when placed on a level planar surface, and before theapparatus is attached to the cabinet floor 13 and the drawers 18 areinstalled. This freestanding feature provides for ease in installationwithin a cabinet because, during installation, the installer typicallydoes not need to support the apparatus to keep it from tipping over.

As shown in FIG. 2 and 4, it is preferred that the runners 28 beattached to the cabinet 12 about the opening 17 thereto, which can becovered by door 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the runners 28, about theirrespective distal ends 37, can be attached to the cabinet 12 via aconventional spacer 38 made of plastic, wood, metal, or otherconventional material. Preferably, the spacer 38 is attached to thecabinet by conventional means such as by using screws, bolts, rivets,nails, glue or other means known in the art. Likewise, the runner 28 isattached to the spacer 38 by conventional means such as by using screws,bolts, rivets, nails, glue or other means known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spacer can be omitted whereby the runners 28,about their respective distal ends 37, are attached directly to thecabinet 12 about the opening 17 thereto. Accordingly, the runners 28 canbe attached to the cabinet by conventional means such as by usingscrews, bolts, rivets, nails, glue or other means known in the art.

When installing the apparatus 10 within an existing cabinet 12, anypreexisting shelves or drawers within the cabinet are removed. Theproper length of the vertical members 20 and horizontal members 34should be determined to ensure that the apparatus 10 will fit within thecabinet opening 17 and the drawers will slide through the opening oncethe apparatus is installed within the cabinet 12. Alternatively, theframe 19 to the apparatus 10 can be assembly within the cabinet 12. Inaddition, the proper length of the drawer 18 should be determined toensure that the drawer will fit within the cabinet 12 and allow thecabinet door 15 to close.

Next, the assembly comprising the vertical members 20 attached to thehorizontal members 34 is placed within the cabinet 12. The appropriatelysized runners 28 are then positioned to locate the desired location ofthe drawer(s). Once the runners 28 are positioned, the locations aremarked for attachment of the runners to the vertical support members 20and the cabinet 12 about the opening.

Next, the bottom horizontal member 34 is attached to the cabinet floor13 and the runners are attached to the vertical support members 20 andthe cabinet 12 about opening 17. Then, the drawers 18 are coupled to therunners. As will be appreciated, preferably the drawers 18 are slidableout through the opened cabinet door 15, but can be retracted to allowthe door to close over the cabinet opening 17. As will be appreciated bythose having ordinary skill in the art, the drawers 18 can beconstructed of, for example, wood, wood composites, laminates, plastic,metal, or any combination thereof.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, arepossible examples of implementations merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without substantially departing from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications are intended to be includedherein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention,and protected by the following claims.

1. A method of installing a drawer within a preexisting householdcabinet having a cavity with an opening thereto and a floor, the methodcomprising the step of: placing a rectangular shaped frame within thehousehold cabinet, the frame comprising a pair of vertical members inparallel spaced relationship to each other and each vertical memberhaving a planar surface within a plurality of apertures therein in agrid pattern, a pair of horizontal members attached about the ends ofthe vertical support members and extending perpendicular thereto; withfasteners, attaching a pair of runners to the vertical support memberswherein the runners are in parallel spaced relationship to each otherand each of the runners has a distal end; securing the distal ends ofthe runners to the household cabinet about the opening to the householdcabinet; and, attaching a drawer to the runners wherein the drawerslides along the runners and is perpendicular to the vertical supportmembers.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step ofattaching one of the pair of horizontal members to the floor of thehousehold cabinet.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the stepof removing preexisting shelves from the household cabinet beforeplacing the apparatus within the household cabinet.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the step of selecting the runners based, atleast in part, upon the depth of the cabinet.
 5. The method of claim 1further comprising the step of selecting a drawer of appropriate size tofit within the cavity of the household cabinet.
 6. The method of claim 1further comprising the steps of determining a position for anotherdrawer within the cabinet and attaching another pair of runners to thevertical members about the position.
 7. The method of claim 1, the stepof securing the distal ends of the runners to the household cabinetcomprising the steps of attaching spacers to the household cabinet andattaching the runners to the spacers.
 8. The method of claim 1, the stepof securing the distal ends of the runners to the household cabinetcomprising the step of attaching fasteners to the runners and thehousehold cabinet.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof allowing the frame to be freestanding in an upright position on thefloor of the cabinet before the distal ends of the runners are securedabout the opening to the household cabinet.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the household cabinet is a kitchen cabinet.
 11. A method ofinstalling a drawer within a preexisting household cabinet having acavity with an opening thereto and a floor, the method comprising thestep of: placing a rectangular shaped frame within the householdcabinet, the frame comprising a pair of vertical members in parallelspaced relationship to each other and each vertical member having aplanar surface within a plurality of apertures therein in a gridpattern, a pair of horizontal members attached about the ends of thevertical support members and extending perpendicular thereto; withfasteners, attaching a pair of runners to the vertical support memberswherein the runners are in parallel spaced relationship to each otherand each of the runners has a distal end; securing the distal ends ofthe runners to the household cabinet about the opening to the householdcabinet; attaching a drawer to the runners wherein the drawer slidesalong the runners and is perpendicular to the vertical support members;and, allowing the frame to be freestanding in an upright position on thefloor of the household cabinet before the distal ends of the runners aresecured about the opening to the household cabinet.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising the step of attaching one of the horizontalmembers to the floor of the household cabinet.
 13. The method of claim11 further comprising the step of removing preexisting shelves from thehousehold cabinet before placing the apparatus within the householdcabinet.
 14. The method of claim 11, the step of securing the distalends of the runners to the household cabinet comprising the steps ofattaching spacers to the household cabinet and attaching the runners tothe spacers.
 15. The method of claim 11, the step of securing the distalends of the runners to the household cabinet comprising the step ofattaching fasteners to the runners and the household cabinet.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the household cabinet is a kitchen cabinet.17. An apparatus for installing a drawer within a household cabinethaving a cavity with an opening thereto and a floor, the apparatuscomprising: a rectangular shaped frame comprising a pair of verticalmembers in parallel spaced relationship to each other and each verticalmember having a planar surface within a plurality of apertures thereinin a grid pattern, a pair of horizontal members attached about the endsof the vertical support members and extending perpendicular thereto; apair of runners attached to the vertical support members wherein therunners are in parallel spaced relationship to each other and each ofthe runners has a distal end; and the bottom; and, the pair ofhorizontal members including a bottom member dimensioned wherein theframe is freestanding in an upright position on the floor of thehousehold cabinet before being secured to the household cabinet.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17 further comprising spacers attached about thedistal ends of the runners.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 furthercomprising another pair of runners attached to the vertical members withanother drawer therebetween.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein thehousehold cabinet is a kitchen cabinet.